Your opportunity
to
Revisit Deauville 1968
It was bordering on the miraculous that the third World Bridge Olympiad took
place at all. That it could overcome nationwide strikes in France that affected not
only industry, but also communications and transport, was a testament to the
organisational skill of the French Bridge Federation. Less than ten days before
the scheduled starting date of June 5 no planes were landing in Paris and there
were barricades in the streets. Conditions in France were chaotic.
The World Bridge Federation gave serious thought to attempting a last minute change of venue to Lausanne or Geneva, and eventually opted for a move to
Geneva. However, having advised all the competing teams, many of them having
already set out on the long journey, they finally decided on June 1 that come
what may they would assemble in Deauville.
Remarkably most of the teams managed to arrive, but there were some
casualties. The Polish teams had obtained visas for Switzeralnd, but there was
no time to change them.
A few hardy souls flew into the small airport at Deauville where the control towers
were unmanned! Others flew to Brussels and then continued in whatever
transport they could find.
The Women’s event saw the 19 teams play a complete Round Robin. Sweden
finished well ahead of South Africa and the USA.
The format for the Open event saw the 33 teams play a complete Round Robin,
with the top four qualifying for the semi finals. They proved to be Italy, USA,
Netherlands and Canada. It came as no surprise when the legendary Blue Team
of Belladonna, Averelli, Forquet, Garozzo, D’Alelio & Pabis Ticci went on to
defeat the USA in the final. Canada won the playoff for third place.
You are now invited to play a selection of 24 boards from this
Challenging event and to test your skills against the champions
of yesteryear – further details from the PlayBridgeShop.
Page updated: 29 February 2008 11:08:39
